Handling and collapsing paper boxes



Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 5, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenio vHEW/mafia WMac a": don a 201, M1, fflmw MM Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 5 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 In enifor:

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Nov. 29, 1938.

K. W. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 3, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 d .w R i 2% W d MM m W W m K. W. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Nov. 29, 1938.

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14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 3, 1937 N I nveniov: v HenneihWJIacdonaZd,

by any fimamm Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 3, 193'] 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 3, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 z I I I Inveniozw mnrwi/ hmdomid.

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I HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept; 3, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES l4 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed Sept. 3, 1957 Nov. 29, 1938. K. w. MACDONALD 2,138,766

HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES I Filed Sept. 3, 1937 l4 Sheets-Sheet ll fiefgehwlfaodonald, Z A, L ZM M f7 dings Nov. 29, I938. K. w. MACDONALD 8, 6

HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 3, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Y Invenior: fienrwifiz/ Wffacdori/ald,

Nov. 29, 1938.

K. W. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES l4 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Sept. 3; 195'! Nov. 29, 1938.

K. W. MACDONALD HANDLING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Sept. 6, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 If neih WMafZOTl/Cl Zd b 017% W I Mm H 7, 7 4 j Patented Nov. 29, 1938 2,188,788 mama AND COILAPSING mraa noxns KennetE W. Macdonald, Watertown, Man, as-

signor to Oskar W. Wikstrom, Newton, Mass.

Application September 3, 1937, Serial No. 162,339

18 Claims. (Cl. 93-53) My present invention relates to mechanism for manipulating paper boxes, especially boxes of the so-called set-up type, which initially have a setup form in the box-making machine. ticularly, it aims to provide improved methods and means for collapsing such boxes, and especially for iniolding them, that is. to fold their walls in the direction toward the interior of the box. The invention includes as important objectives methods and means universally applicable for collapsing boxes of widely varying construction, sizes and proportions, and contemplates means which is constituted as a unitary organization adapted readily to be installed to receive and collapse the set-up boxes coming from box-forming or setting-up machines of various designs, including particularly machines of the type well-known under the trade-mark "Brightwood.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a box-collapsing machine or unit as a whole;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevation, on a larger scale of one of the box-engaging or carried elements of the box-receiving, transferring and aligning means, looking inwardly toward its vertical supporting axis;

Fig. 5a is a horizontal E -5 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the front or dis charging end of the machine, that is, as viewed from the right in Figs. 1 to 3 Fig. 7 is a section on the line of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the operating means for one of the folders;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-I0 of i Fig. 11 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 9 but illustrating the folder plate in inward or down position;

Fig. 121s an enlarged vertical sectional view as on the line l2l2 of Fig. 2, showing a portion of the operating means for one folder element;

Fig. 13 is avertical section upon the same scale as Fig. 12, taken upon the line l3-l3 of said Fig. 12, looking from left to right in said figure;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail section through section on the line More par-,

one of the folder plates, as upon the line 14- of Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan of a portion of a pusher or ejecting device for the collapsed boxes;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section on the line 16-46 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section on the line "-11 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18- is an enlarged vertical section centrally through-the main supporting and operating means for the receiving transferring and alignment head or turret, as on the line 18-48 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 19 is a section on the line l9l9 of Fig. 18;

Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively a side elevation and a plan, somewhat diagrammatic, of one form of means for receiving the set-up boxes, in this instance directly from the forming unit of a Brightwood or other box-making machine and for feeding them to the collapsing unit; and

Figs. 22 to 29 are partially diagrammatic views illustrating several of the differently constructed and diflerently folding boxes adapted to be collapsed into flat, herein infolded, condition in accordance with the invention, wherein Figs. 22 and 23 show the receiving or set-up and the knocked-down conditions of one form of box;

Figs. 24 and 25 are similar views of a box of a tray-like, coveriess form, with rather low walls, such as represented in the preceding machine views, such for example as a so-called 3 x 4 flapcovered egg box;

Figs. 26 and. 27 show the two positions of another i'orm of box, having a flap cover and being of considerable depth, such as commonly known as a cake box; and

Figs. 28, 29 and 30 show a narrow'elongated form of box, such as a cigarette carton, in its set-up position as coming from the Brightwood or box-making machine, its position as when fed into the collapser unit, and its collapsed position, respectively.

In general, the collapsing machine as illustrated comprises means for taking the set-up boxes coming from the box-making machine and feeding them to the receiving and aligning means of the collapser unit. Said feeding means is shown separately in Figs. 20 and 21, its inner end being seen also in Figs. 1 and 3. From the feeding means, which may be variously constructed, the box passes to a receiving, transferring and aligning mechanism, which acts also to reverse the boxes, front to back, turning them through in the horizontal plane. This and rear walls.

the turret, is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and in further.

detail in Figs. 4, 5, 5a, 18 and 19. It accurately presents and positions the set-up boxes to receive the action of the. collapsing mechanism proper. The latter, briefly, comprises a series of folder blades or plates arranged to conform to the particular box. In the example illustrated there are four blades, each independently operated and controlled, and disposed at the foursides of a rectangle. The blades each fold inwardly in any desired sequence and timing appropriate to a particular form of box. One blade acts upon the leading vertical wall of the box, another upon the trailing wall, while the other two are disposed for infolding the side or end walls.

Boxes which have a fiap cover are delivered to and acted on by the collapsing mechanism proper with their cover-carrying wall, which is usually the rear wall, foremost. Hence to avoid confusion I herein refer to the leading and trailing walls of the boxes rather than to the front The collapsing mechanism proper including the folder blades here referred to is seen in Figs. 1 to 3 and in further detail in Figs. 7 to 14.

Following the collapsing operation the infolded boxes are ejected from the folding station, are passed through further pressing or creasing means and are delivered to a conveyor or other suitable receiving means for collecting or stacking and packaging them. Such ejecting, pressing and delivering means is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and in further detail in Figs. 6 and 15 to 1'7.

To consider first the feeding means, and referring particularly to Figs. 20 and 21 as well as Figs. 1 and 3, the boxes B are disposed in set up position upon a feed table I, onto which they may be dropped directly from the forming box or throat 2 of a box-making machine such as the well-known Brightwood" machine previously referred to. At the upper left portion of Fig. 20 a blank from which the box is formed is represented at b, and the vertically moving forming block or plunger means at 3. In the generality of box-making machines, such as those of the type referred to, boxes having fiap covers are formed with the cover-carrying wall rearmost, so that the boxes are received on the feed. table I with their fiap covers at the rear, as seen in Figs. 20 and 21.

The boxes are advanced along the feed table I by any suitable means. I have herein shown for the purpose-a chain 4 passing about front and rear sprockets 5 and 6. The upper run of the chain moves below a central longitudinal slot 1 in the table, and above a longitudinally adjustable bar or track 8. At intervals selected for spacing the boxes to the desired extent, the chain carries a series of dogs or pusher fingers 8 of L- shape pivoted at the outer ends of their bases. When otherwise unsupported the dogs accordingly drop to an inactive position as at the right in Fig. 20. As each dog comes up about the rear sprocket 6 it rides onto the track 8 which erects it to operative position to engage behind and advance a box, as represented at the left in Fig. 20. On delivering their boxes to the transferring and aligning mechanism at the forward or right end of the table, the dogs or feed. fingers ride off from track bar 8 and drop again into out-of-the-way position. By adjusting one back bar 8 lengthwise on its supports 8 the drop-off point for the dogs may be adjusted as required for different boxes.

It will readily be understood that the operation of folding, and particularly infolding, the several vertical walls of a set-up box, there generally being four such walls when the box ishandled in upright position, requires accurate placement and aligning of the box for proper cooperation with the folding mechanism, in order to avoid improper folding and spoiling of the boxes. For reasons which will also be apparent, and as previously noted, flap-covered boxes, which are received on the feed tablewith the flap carrying walls rearmost, are to be presented to the folding mechanism with the flap carrying wall in the lead. The mechanism of the invention as herein illustrated accordingly includes means not only for so accurately presenting and aligning the boxes, but also for reversing them for presentation to the folding means, and serving also to reject imperfectly formed boxes.

The mechanism as herein illustrated for the purpose is indicated as a whole'by the letter T and comprises a plural-armed head or turret rotatable on a vertical axis, so that its oppositely extending arms or carrier, elements C, Fig. 2, swing in a horizontal plane. This turret is operated intermittently, turning at each step through 180, one carrier, of which there are two in the present example, being loaded from the feed table as another deposits a previously received box in position for the folding operation. In the twocarrier'form shown, each acts alternately, in successive cycles, as a receiver and as a positioner for the boxes to be folded. The construction and operating mechanism for this box-receiving and positioning mechanism or turret T and its relation to the machine as a whole will now be described.

Referring accordingly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine comprises a pair of spaced side frames I5 connected by tie rods i6, two of which are seen at the lower portion of Figs. 1 and 3, and by cross bars l1, l1 at the frame ends. The side frames support the main platform or bed 20 upon which the positioning, folding and ejecting operations are carried out.

At the lower rear portion of the frames there is joumaled the main drive shaft 2| for the collapsing machine or attachment as a whole; see Figs. 1 and 3. This shaft may receive power from any suitable source but preferably is driven from and in timed relation with the Brightwood or other box-forming machine, as by means of the chain 22 seen in Fig. 1, engaging a sprocket 24 operating a chain 25 meshing with a relatively large, reducing sprocket 26 on a cam and gear shaft 21 also journaled in the side frames. Said shaft 2! has fixed on it a gear 21 meshing with the pinion 5 on a shaft 5 rotatably supported in bearing brackets on the side frames and carrying the front sprocket 5 of the feed chain 4 already described.

Said shaft 21 also serves to drive intermittently an adjacent cross shaft 28 also supported in bearings on the side frames. For this purpose I have shown, see Fig. 3, a Geneva gear or star wheel 29 fixed on said shaft 28 and having four equally spaced radial slots 30, for successive cooperation with studs 3|, 8| at diametrally op-, posed positions on a drive plate 32 fast on the cam shaft 21. At each half-turn of the cam shaft 21 and plate 32 one. of the studs 3| engages in a slot 30 of the Geneva gear, producing a quarter-turn of the latter and its shaft 28, and a quarter-turn dwell.

Viewing now also Figs. 4, 5, 6, 18 and 19, the

shaft 28 has fixed on it near its central portion a bevel gear meshing with a bevel pinion 36 fixed at the lower end of a short upright shaft 31 for swinging the turret. Said turret shaft 31 is rotatable in a bushing 38 in a bearing plate 89 secured as by bolts 38 at the under face of the bed 20. The shaft has a supporting collar 40 above which it is received in a hub 4! at the under face of the main central portion, plate or casting 42 of the rotary turret device, said plate comprising two oppositely disposed T-like sections, as viewed in plan, as best seen in Fig. 2.

The bevel gears 35, 36 previously mentioned have a ratio of one to two, so that a quarter-turn of the shaft 28, through the medium of the described Geneva gearing, will rotate the turret shaft 31 to swing the turret through 180. The turret plate 42 in turn supports the two box-carriers C which accordingly are stepped around or indexed about a vertical axis to present them alternately in box-receiving and box-presenting positions.

Said carrier elements 0, while oppositely arranged, are similarly constructed, so that a description of one of them will suffice. Each of the opposed T-shaped sections of the turret plate 42 has at its outer face a series of slotted ears 43,

of which there are four in -the illustrated example, those of each series being alined to provide a guideway for sildably supporting the box-engaging arms 44, 44 of the corresponding carrier unit 0. Each such arm 44 has a foot 45 at its inner end adjustably secured as by the bolt 46, see particularly Figs. 5 and 5a, to a slotted slide 41 received in said guideway provided by the cars 43. By varying the positions of the arms 44 relative to their slides 41, as permitted by reason of the slots 41 in the slides and the connecting bolts 46, the carriers may readily be adjusted for cooperation with boxes of widely diflering dimension transversely of the machine, as for example from about 5 inches or less up to about 17 inches or even more in some cases.

The arms 44 of each carrier C are moved toward and from each other at the proper times, to position, grip, or to release, a particular box B. In the illustrated example the arms are drawn inwardly toward each other as by a spring 38, Fig. 5, extending between posts 49 on the respective arm slides 41, whereby the arms have capacity for yielding in their inward box-engaging movement.

For the purposes to be more fully described, thearms have three different positions, an outermost or full open position, a partly closed position, and a full closed position in which they grip the box. separating elements or spreaders 55, Figs. 4, 5 and 5a in the form of two-armed rockers, one rocker at each end of a short horizontal rock shaft 5! journaled in the turret plate 52, for cooperation with the respective carriers C.

The inner ends of the arm slides 41 are recessed as at 41, allowing them to approach substantially into engagement with the shaft 5 I, and providing abutment members 41 at the inner ends of the slides, for engagement by the ends of the corresponding rocker 50, to move the slides and the arms oppositely away from each other when the shaft 5i is rocked.

Noting particularly Figs. 18 and 19, the shaft 5| has pinned on its central portion, above the vertical axis 37 of the turret as a whole, a double-1 armed rocker 52 each of the diametrally opposed arms 53 of which have a foot 54 located for alternate engagement by a push pin or tappet 55 These positions are determined by r supported for vertical movement in the machine bed 20. The tappet is urged downwardly as by a coil spring 55 seating between a collar 56*- at its lower end and the under face of a portion of the bed, downward? movement of the tappet being limited by a collar 55".

This spreader tappet 55 is operated through appropriate connections with {the cam shaft 21 previously referred to. As seen in Figs. 1 and 3, said shaft 21 carries a cam' having duplicate opposite half portions each including raised sector 6|, a sector 83 of intermediate height and a low portion or sector 64. Cooperating with the cam is a roll 65 on a cam lever 66 pivoted at one end on abracket 61 (Fig. 4) on the rear crossbar H. The inner end of the cam lever 66 has a foot 66 underlying the tappet see also Fig. 18.

The cam 55 accordingly controls the tappet 55 and the rocker 52, to open the arms of the two carriers C or to permit them to close as desired. It will be noted that the arms of both carriers are moved simultaneously and to the same extents, whichever arm of the rocker 52 is over the tappet 55 at the particular time.

The functions and operation of the box-receiving and positioning means or turret will readily be understood from a consideration of Figs. 1 to 3, and particularly Fig. 2. In the latterthe arms 44 of the two carriers C are shown in full lines in their full open position and in dotted lines in their intermediate and full-closed positions.

Assume now that the full-line positions shown in Fig. 2 are those in which the carrier C then at the left receives a box B and the then righthand carrier deposits the preceding box at the folding station, to be more fully described later. At this time a high portion M of the cam 60, which turns in the clockwise, direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, is under the cam roll 65. Thereafter the cam-roll drops to a cam portion 63 of intermediate height. The carrier arms accordingly close to their intermediate dotted-line positions, in which they move inwardly through a major portion of their total movement, for example, seven-eighths thereof, so that they closely approach but do grip, the boxes. This partial closing action of the righthand carrier serves to align and recenter the box just previously deposited by it at the folding station, in case it has been displaced in dropping from the carrier, and accurately presents the box to the folding means to be described. The similar and simultaneous partial closing of the lefthand or rear carrier has the eifect of causing the incoming box to enter between the arms with some friction. The inward movement of the box is limited by an adjustable stop, one for each carrier, shown as a strip 42 adjustably fixed on the turret plate 42.

As the next step a low portion 64 of the cam comes opposite the roll 65, allowing the tappet 55 to drop to its lowermost position, so that the arms of both carriers close in fully toward each other, under the action of their springs. The folding of the box now takes place while turret dwells one-half cycle. The carrier C still at the left in Fig. 2 accordingly grips the box B previously received between its arms. Thereupon the turret indexes around through 180, under actuation of the described Geneva gearing, transferring the box from the receiving position at the end of the feed chain to a position over the folding station, at the right in Fig. 2. The carrier previously referred to as being at the right hand side of the turret at the same time swings around rearwardly into position to receive the next incoming box. The described cycle of operation is then repeated, it being noted that each cycle occurs during a half-rotation of the duplicate-halved cam 60 in the example shown,'to conform to the .two roll Geneva cam which makes one-half revolution to one cycle of the machine.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the set up boxes are received and fed into the collapsing machine in upright position and with their'open side up, the boxes traveling along a horizontal plane. The collapsing action is also performed with the boxes in said upright position and with their open side up, with the exception of certain special instances in which the boxes may be fed and folded with one side wall uppermost, or in other position, to meet the requirements for some particular folding arrangement for certain boxes.

The folding or collapsing is done at the folding station F, Fig. 2, provided by the upper flat surface of the bed 20. The bed and the folding station thereon preferably are in substantially the same horizontal plane in which the boxes are received and forwarded, so that the entire action, including the initial reception, feeding, transferring and aligning, and collapsing, as well as the further folding and delivery of the collapsed boxes to the collection, stacking or delivery point, takes place not only in a horizontal plane but also in substantially the same plane throughout the entire machine. This makes for simplicity, speed and accuracy in the handling of the boxes and reduces likelihood of jammlng'or other irregularities.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the collapsing or folding mechanism proper comprises, a series of blades, plates or folding elements, herein generally referred to as folders, and usually corresponding in number to the number of vertical walls of the particular. box, although in some cases a folder may not be required at some one or more walls. In the illustrated form, designed primarily for collapsing rectangular boxes, there are four such folders, one externally adjacent each ver tical wall of a box deposited in upright position at the folding station F. While in some instances two or more of the folders may operate in unison and in the same manner, the invention contemplates provision whereby each folder is independently operable, each being controllable by its own actuating mechanism, herein illustrated as of a cam and lever construction. Hence, depending on the form and setting of the several cams, the

individual folders may be timed to function in,

ly, or each may be moved to fold or to return at different times. Further, any of the folders may have a repeating, double or other plural operation,

with one or another of the other folders acting intermediately.

As best seen as a whole in Fig. 2, the folding mechanism accordingly includes a front folder 10 variably controllable by a cam 1|. At the near side of the folding station as viewed in Fig. 1, or at the lower central portion of Fig. 2, is one of the side folders 90 actuated from a cam 9| at the same side of the machine. Another folder H0, for the trailing wall of the box, extends transversely at the rear of the folding station F and is controlled from its cam III seen at the upper left portion of Fig. 2. A fourth folder I30, for the other box side, is disposed oppositely to the side folder 90 and is controlled from its cam I3I, at the upper right in Fig. 2.

' amazes It will be noted that the operating mechanism for one transverse folder and one longitudinally extending folder, for example the front folder 10 and side folder 90 and including their cams 1|, 9| are disposed at one side of the machine, while that for the other two folders is at the other machine side. This mechanism at the two sides may be substantially the same, and hence a detailed description of that at one side will be sufllcient. Y

Referring now to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the cam 9| I for the right side folder 90 is fixed on a cam shaft 92 journaled in suitable hearings in the side frames, the cam I II for the rear folder IIO being mounted on the same shaft, at the other side of the machine. This shaft is driven by a gear 90, Fig. 3, meshing with the similar gear 93 on the main drive shaft 2!. The several cams here referred to are illustrated as of the face type, having closed cam paths at their inner faces, those for the cams 9I and II being indicated at 9| and 1| respectively in Figs. 1 and 4.

As seen in said Figs. 1 and 4, the path SI of the right side-folder cam 9| receives a cam roll 94 on a cam lever 95 rocking on a stud 96 on the adjacent side frame. The free end of the cam lever 95 is connected through an adjustable pivoted link 91 with a transverse arm 98, see also Figs. 6 and 7, extending from a collar 99 fixed on a short longitudinal shaft I00 supported for rocking movement in a bracket I M on the adjacent right side frame I5. Provision is made not only for lengthwise adjustment of the link 91, as by means of the turn buckle construction illustrated, but also for adjusting its point of pivotal attachment to the arm 98, as by means of a boss 98 on the latter having a purality of openings 99 for selective reception of the pivot pin 98 for the upper end of said link; see particularly Fig. 7.

Fixed on said short shaft I00 is a second collar I02 carrying a vertical arm I03 pivoted at its upper end to a short horizontal link I04, the other end of which is pivotally connected with an ear I05 depending from a slide I05.

As seen on a larger scale in Figs. 8 to 11 inelusive, the slide I06 is demountably connected as by a screw I05, Fig. 9, to the under face of a rack I06 having opposite side flanges I00", Fig. 10,

supporting it for sliding movement, transversely of the machine, on track members I00 on the side walls of a slot I 09 in the bed 20; see also Fig. 2.

Referring still to Figs. 8 to 11, the rack I06, thus supported formovement transversely of the machine, toward and from the folding station F, meshes with a toothed segment. I01 on a rocking plate-carrier I01. The side folder plate previously referred to is demountably secured to said carrier I01 as by means of the screws I01 The plate carrier I01 is supported for rocking movement between its normal or inactive position of Fig. 9 and its infolding position of Fig, 11 by means of a pin I01 in the forked portions I08 of a fixed but adjustable block I08, by shifting which the location of the folder 90 may be varied for cooperation with boxes of different sizes or types. To afford such adjustment a clamping plate I09 underlying the block I08 and received in a grooved way I 09 cut in the bed 20, at the opposite vertical walls of the rack slot I01". The block I08 and plate I09 are adapted to be clamped together and to the bed 20, at various appropriate selected positions along the path of a rack I06, as by a clamping screw I 08.

The opposite side folder no, at the left of the machine, is seen in plan at the upper portion in Fig. 2 and in elevation in Fig. 3. As previously noted, its supporting and operating means may be the same or substantially the same as that already described inconnection with the right sidefolder 98, with particular reference to Figs. 8 to 11. Portions of the left side-folder mechanism, for operating the folder plate or blade I88, are seen in Figs.- 2, ,3, 6 and 7, where they are designated by the same reference numerals but with .the addition of a prime mark as used for the corresponding portions of the mechanism for the right folder 98 above described. In this connection it is noted that in the illustrated example the arrangement of the twocams I3I and III at the left side is the reverse of that at the right. That is, the cam I3I for the left side-folder I38, corresponding to the cam SI for the right side-folder 98, is not on the same shaft 92 with said cam 8| but is fixed at the left end portion of a second or front cam shaft I2, see Figs. 1 and 6, which carries the cam II for the front folder 18, about to be described in more detail. In other words, at the right side of the machine the cam 'II for the transverse (front) folder I8 is in front of the side-folder cam 9|, while at the other side the relative arrangement of the two cams is the reverse, the cam III for the transverse (rear) folder being behind the cam I3I for the left side folder I38, as is readily apparent from an inspection of Fig. 2.

Turning now to the construction and operating means for the transversely extending folder plates or folders I8 and II8, their description will be directed chiefly to that for the front folder 18, since the construction and operating connections for the latter and the rear folder I I8 may be and are herein illustrated as substantially identical, similarly as in connectionwith the two side-folder mechanisms. As in the case of the latter, similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts of the front and the rear folder mechanisms, with the addition of prime marks for those of the rear folder.

Considering now Figs. 1 and 6, the front folder cam 'II is adjustably fixed on the forward cam shaft I2 above mentioned, the latter being suitably Journaled in bearings on the opposite side frames. This forward cam shaft 72 is driven through a sprocket 12 fixed on it and receiving a chain 13 passing around a similar sprocket 92,

Figs. 1 and 4, on the rear cam shaft 92 which in turn is driven by the gears 83, 93', Figs. 3 and 4, from the drive shaft 2|, as previously described.

The cam path II of the front folder cam 'II receives a cam'roll 14, Fig. 1, on a cam lever 15 rockably supported on the adjacent side frame as at I6. The free end of the cam lever is pivotally connected through a longitudinally adjustable link II to the lower arm I8 of a bell crank mounted for rocking movement on a stud I9 on the adjacent side frame. Provision desirably is I made for variably connecting the link TI and arm 78, in a similar manner as previously described in connection with the side-folder connections, as by means of the plural apertured boss 18, Fig. 1, for receiving the upper pivot of the link 11, at different selected locations.

The upper arm 88 of the bell crank, Figs, 1, 6, 7, and particularly Figs. 12 and 13, is pivoted to one end of a link 8| pivoted at its other end to a lug 82 depending from a slide 82. The latter is demountably connected as by screws 82', 82 Fig. 13, at the lower. face of a toothed rack 83 having side portions 88" slidably received on a track formed by opposed shoulders 88 on the side walls of a longitudinally extending slot 83 in the bed 28; see also Figs. 2 and 4. p

The sliding rack 88, actuated through the cam II and the described connections serves to rotate a pinion 84 having an integral split sleeve 84 received on the reduced outer end portion of a short cross shaft 88. A collar 84' and set screw 88 adiustably secure the pinion on said shaft.

The shaft 85 is rotatably supported in a bushing 85" in a bearing block 86, and has an end piece 85 extending inwardly beyond the latter,

as best seen in Fig. 12. Connected flatwise to said shaft extension 88* is a bar 81 extending transversely of the machine, herein for substantially the full width thereof, as seen in Fig. 2. The other end of said bar 81 is similarly supported by a short transverse shaft 85 in a bearing block 86".

The cross bar 81 provides the direct support for the front collapser plate or folder I8. The latter is demountably connected to the bar as by means of a series of screws 18 received in apertures tapped in the bar. As best seen in Fig. 4, in connection with the rearfolder H8 and its similar supporting cross bar 81', a multiplicity of such apertures is provided substantially along the entire length of these bars, adapting them for theinterchangeable reception of folder plates of widely differing length, as appropriate for boxes of various different extents in the direction across the machine.

The entire front folder unit and likewise the rear folder unit, the corresponding parts of which latter are designated by the same reference numerals with the addition of prime marks, are arranged for bodily adjustment, in the direction lengthwise of the machine, to position them as required for boxes of different extent in the direction lengthwise the machine. The construction in this connection is the same at each end of each of the folder-carrying bars 81 and 81', that for the right end of the front folder bar 81 being seen in detail in Fig. 12. The bed 28 is formed with longitudinal grooves 88, 88', one at each side portion; see also Fig. 2. Said grooves are undercut, Fig. 12, for the slidable reception of clamping plates 88, one for each of the several bearing blocks v88, 88, etc. The latter have downwardly projecting ribs 88 guided in the upper portions of the corresponding groove 88 or 88'. Clamping screws 88 extending downwardly through the blocks and into their clamping plates serve to clamp or release them with respect to the bed 28. Thus the pair of blocks 88, 88 at the ends of the bar 81 for the front folder, and similarly the blocks 88', 88 which carry the bar 81' for the rear folder, may readily be adiustabiy shifted lengthwise the bed 28 so as to present the front and rear folders in ggoper operative position for collapsing the given From the preceding description it will be seen that the several folder devices and their operating mechanisms are adapted for independent operation, so that the time of their actuation, the extent of their rocking or folding motions, and the speed and duration of these motions are each separately and positively controllable and may readily be varied, for any one or more of the folders, to meet the requirements for the particular box and type of fold. The folder motions depend on the timing, speed and extent of motion of the respective racks 88, 88 and I88, I88

, orinterchanging with cams of different shapes.

Y The several folders have been referred to individually with mpect to their location on the machine, the delivery end of the latter, at the .rightinl'lgs.lto3,beingoonsidsredasthe front of the machine. The folder ll, nearest the front .of the machine, aooo is termed the front folder, and the folder ill opposed to it is termed the rear folder, irrespective of theparticular wall of a box upon which they operate.

' .As previously noted, in the great majority of cases the boxes are delivered to the folders in upright Q position, with open side up. and boxes which include hinged cover flaps, usually at the upper edgeoftheir-rearwalls,are presentedwiththeir flap-carrying or rear wall at the front of the machine, adjacent the front folder, so that the -mp maybe folded over toward the rear of the son of Figs. 9 and 11. In Fig. 9 the folder blade -upright position.

machine, allowing the collapsed box to be ejected fromthe folding mechanism with the free edge of its flap in trailing position. Thus while the front folder will always operate on' that wall of the box which is presented in leading position, and the rear folder actsupon the trailing wall, such leading and trailing walls may be the rear and the front walls respectively, or other walls, of the boxes themselves.- In other words, the terms front. and rear as applied to the folders .have reference to their location on the machine, amount to the particular portion of the box upon which they may operate in any given case.

The motion of the folders, for example the front folder II, is readily seen from a comparior plate ll is shown in its normal or inactive ment in rocking about its point of pivotal support me is indicated by the curved arrow. In

Fig. 11 the same folder 00 appears in its inmost 'or substantially its inmost folded position, where- ;in it issubstantially horizontal. The described provisions for adjustments allow any less extent of inward angular folding movement intermediate the positions of Figs. 9 and 11 to be had, as by shifting the link 81 relative to the arm '08, pivoting it at any selected aperture of the series.

It will also be noted that the folder blades themselves have their lower edges at a level 55 above the upper face of the machine bed 2|, and

i that the folders are always vertically spaced from the latter, so that the collapsed boxes may readily be moved out from the folding station even though one or more of the folders may be turned 60 down in position such as that of Fig. 11. This spacingof the folders above the bed allows an ejecting or forwarding device, to be described, to enter below the folders so as to engage and advance the collapsed box to the further folding 65 or pressing and delivering means.

In Figs. 22 and 23 I have illustrated somewhat diagrammatically the folding operation for a box of a tray-like flap-covered type such as also represented in the various views of the machine, the

70 latter being assumed to be set up for collapsing this particular box, merely by way of example. One common box of this type is the so-calied "3x4" one dozen egg box. The type of fold i1- lustrated in said Figs. 22 and 23 is that known in the trade as the 13-fold, wherein the side walls Its path of folding move-' course of the collapsing action including the in- 1 folding of the leading and trailing walls of the box. The resulting collapsed or partly-collapsed position of the box is represented in Fig. 23, for comparison with its initial or set-up position as in Fig. 22. g e

Referring still to said ii 'lgs, 22 and 23, the side folders 9i and ltlinthis instance are selected to have a shape and dimension conforming generally to that of the triangular sectionof the side walls, as clearly seen in Fig. 22. ,Bince in this example the body of the box is relatively shallow, so that the side walls when infolded do not meet or overlap eachother, the side folders 90 and I maybe set to operate simultaneously. Accordingly, as the first step in this particular folding operation illustrated in Figs, 22 and 23, the side folders 90 and I" are first rocked inwardly toward each other, folding the triangular sections of the side walls inwardly and at the same time tending to draw the leading, flap-carrying wall and the trailing wall inwardly toward each other. The side folders in this case have a short quick in and out action, their cams being shaped to afford the desired rapid short single throw. As the side folders move out, the rear folder H0 is turned inwardly, as controlled by its individual com. The inward movement ofthe rear folder .I II is of sufficient extent and duration to turn in the trailing wall of the box and hold it in position to be engaged and held down by the inward overlapping onto it of the leading wall and its flap cover. The rear folder may in this instance be withdrawn to its upright position prior to descent of the flap cover or may be allowed to remain down until the box is ejected.

The front folder Ill inv this case may operate simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with'the rear folder, or slightly after the latter,

as determined by its individual cam control. In this case it has but a single action or throw, but has a dwell, in inturned position, of sufficient duration to retain the entire box in its collapsed state, by engagement over the outer face of the leading wall, until the box has been ejected from the folding station and engaged between the presser rolls to be described. As or immediately after the collapsed box leaves the folding station all of the folders again stand in upright position, in readiness to receive the next incoming set up box.

In the example just described in connection with Figs. 22 and 23 it will be seen that each of the several folders has but a single action, that is, is rocked inwardly but once. Also, the side folders operated in unison as a pair, and the front and rear folders also act in unison but somewhat after. the side folders. Further, the side folders in this instance had what I herein term a short throw, that is, they were withdrawn quickly after their inward movement. The motion of the rear folder was of either the short throw or the long throw type, the latter referring to a motion in 75. 

